Another observation on the game: When Rooney was subbed on, it seemed to me the team was playing like an U-12 team where the whole tactic was "get the ball to the best kid on the team." Maybe it just seemed that way, which was worrying. But then that focus on Rooney (and some great ball work by him) opened things up and led to 2 great goals. BTW, all 3 goals were top shelf, run-of-play goals. They keep that up and who knows?
It's tickets distributed that is the number reported and has been for many years. This has been debated at nausium in the league attendance thread as long as I've been on this forum since 98 and on soccer list serves before that. I was at the box office to pick up my ticket for the game and heard / saw united selling several hundred standing room tickets. The rooftop bar was jammed packed with lots of people watching the game. Once fully stocked with adult beverages we went over to our seats in section 127. A lot of folks from RFK's section 307 seem to have also migrated to this section.
Random observations: The stadium sight lines are incredible. I'm in 127 and even plays on the far side of the field were easily visible. And I don't understand the carping about how "quiet" it was. Maybe we didn't hear as much from the sulking SGs, but the rest of the fans were pretty noisy. As for attendance, I had to stand in line to get my STH ticket, because I'm a Stone Age, smartphone non-user and had to pick up my paper ticket. Everyone in front of me (and in the other lines as well) was buying tickets for last night's game and beyond. It was slow going, and it took well into the match before the stands indeed looked full. The poster hoping for Mr. Washington to sing the NA: Please, no. He sings (bellows, actually) his version of the anthem. The marine dude sang it straight. Yes, I would prefer "America the Beautiful" as an anthem, but at least sing the one we have as written. I saw only one of Rooney's passes fail to connect. He truly made the players around him better. He weaponizes our midfield, something I've not seen from Mattocks, despite his number of goals. Considering that there is still work to be done on the stadium, I think it's a pretty impressive place to play and watch the game of soccer.
He dragged that thing out. That wasn't just singing it straight. People all over were looking up for a flyover because nobody could understand why he was prolonging the thing.
He sang a few lines quickly, but then would pause and slow down the beginning of the next line so as soon as you thought he was moving it along, he wouldn't.
That's fairly typical -- not drawn out at all. When Whitney Houston sang it at Super Bowl XXV, it lasted 2:15; Hendrix's version at Woodstock took 3:46; A version by Lee Greenwood takes 1:46; and, various versions by the Air Force band last anywhere from 1:16 to 1:46. YMMV.
Every single person who sings the anthem at a DC sporting event sings their own version, save for maybe the two guys who do all the Caps games.
By the way, from watching highlights on Twitter, it seems clear that TSN did a crappy job micing the field, while NC8 actually did a good job. Case in point, the first Arriola goal. The crowd sounds much louder and clearer on the DCU broadcast; they sound more distant in the TSN one (along with the bad audio distortion). That ball movement, tho. What a team goal. 😍#UnitedAtHome pic.twitter.com/YAkUecB93n— D.C. United (@dcunited) July 15, 2018 Tic-tac-goal!@PaulArriola finishes off a fantastic movement from @dcunited. #DCvVAN https://t.co/921kFloNWt— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 15, 2018
Loved to see the game played the right way last night. I was happy to see that for much of the night last night we saw both fullbacks start their defensive line much higher (and really as wingbacks) with Durkin dropping into the center two as a stopper. Rooney brings quality touches every time the ball goes his way. That is light years better than what we are getting from Mattocks as far as distribution and holding the ball. This opens up so much space for the rest of the 3 attacking midfielders. Perhaps Ben will find a way to have both on the field at the same time. If we get a nice right wingback soon We could pull it off. A 532 could fit this team nicely.
I agree that Rooney's presence really elevated the quality of attacking play. Fun game to watch. I do recognize that this was facing a tiring defense in a game situation in which the opponent had to push forward (searching for an equalizing goal and leaving room for DCU to operate in the attack). However, on the flip side, Rooney is likely in preseason form. So, I am definitely optimistic. Obviously, Rooney offers a completely different skill set than Mattocks. Based on last night, I don't see Rooney as a striker that stays upfield, stretching the back line and occupying or running past central defenders. Last night, he demonstrated that he is still has excellent movement, anticipation, and passing ability in tight spaces. He seems most comfortable in withdrawn positions where he can participate in the build up. My impression that he is better suited to play as a second striker and creator rather that a true front man. However, I do think that he could be effective as a "false 9" and that is sort of how he was playing last night. Given the schedule congestion, I hope we get a chance to see a few line up variations. I would be interested to see a Rooney-Mattocks front line at some point. Maybe, that would translate to an even higher Mattocks strike rate and more space for Rooney to work his magic. As others have said, I am just not sure what player to sacrifice (that would not result in even more defensive liability or significantly limit supply/distribution to the forwards) to make that happen. It may also be interesting to see him play as a "10", although I suspect that he would not have the legs to play in the midfield every week. I guess we'll see.
Interesting post-game anecdote: walking down the stairs from the east stands, I ran into a guy wearing a Stokes jersey. I complimented him on it and he seemed surprised I knew who David Stokes was. He was a personal friend of Stokes. I told him not only did I know who he was, I was part of the "Stokes Army" -- I asked him to tell Dave a long time fan and STH wished him well and appreciated everything he did for the team. We wouldn't have this stadium without players like him paving the way. That was a nice way for me to finish of a win in the new stadium. Lots of history with this team.
Maybe I wasn't paying attention, maybe it was the 24 oz Dox Equis in my hand...but did anyone see Talon last night? I literally do not recall seeing the mascot. I do remember that annoying asshole with the microphone wandering around telling people to "make noise." Ironically, I was yelling back "Be quiet!"
That was definite the first 5-10 minutes. It was as if they expected him to be like Messi & create from the dribble. Not his style. Once they figured out he was going to put them in play, it got better. Rooney’s off the ball movement was good & he was one play ahead each time he touched the ball. Hopefully that will rub off on his teammates. I thought Ariola was lucky with both goals. He should shoot sooner. Fortunately, the deflection on the first goal did not hurt him. On the second goal, two Whitecap defenders just stood & watched instead of closing in. Ariola needs to do better to touch once & shoot. At least this match should boost his confidence.
I'm just freakin' happy Rooney never took more touches than he needed to. I think he set a team record for one-time touches in a game, and he wasn't even in a half. Hopefully that'll rub off on the rest of the guys.
While I was getting my paper tickets printed (yes, I have a flip phone) 2 hours before kickoff, five walk-up tickets were sold to the left of me, and two more to the right.